The southwestern desert threw everything it had at us as we cycled Segment 9 of the Western Wildlands bikepacking route (WWR). Heat, dehydration, thorns, overgrown trails, steep mountains, tarantulas, barbed wire and even rain were among the challenges we faced on the road south of Globe Arizona. Along the way we relished the beauty of desert mountain vistas, sun-baked river valleys, unfamiliar plants and animals, and the Wild West enthusiasm of a town called Tombstone. Then, after 2,800 miles (4,500 km) of cycling, we celebrated with a high-five. We reached the US border with Mexico!